Many people believe the only way to market their business is through social media marketing. But using a social media platform has many hidden downfalls for small business owners.
- Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms can be an enormous time waste. It can take hours each week to develop creative posts and interact with others.
- At best, only 5% of your followers on social media will see your posts. Even boosted posts don’t effectively target the customers who will buy from you.
- The best way to reach potential customers on social media is to buy ads, which can be very costly, and ultimately, not reach local customers.
- Social media platforms don’t want users to click away from their site to go to an outside website. These platforms will not show your posts to most of your followers if it includes an outside link.
- You don’t own your social media profile. You’re playing in someone else’s sandbox. Your account can be taken down, or even banned, without any recourse or reason. If that should happen, you will lose all of the contacts you’ve built with customers.
- If you don’t post consistently, potential customers may think you’ve gone out of business. An active social media page or profile will always require time and attention.
- If you don’t have a website, you can’t gather emails from your clients. Having your own email list is crucial for business growth.
How to Market Your Business Without Social Media Marketing
Oklahoma is mainly a rural state. Online marketing works best in densely populated areas. But in a state like ours, it’s important to build relationships with people. Here are 4 ways to market a business locally without using social media:
- Put up posters and flyers. This is one of the oldest forms of marketing, but it’s still effective today, especially in rural areas. Make sure your posters and flyers are eye-catching and informative, and that they’re placed in high-traffic areas.
- Cross-Promotion. Reach out to other local business owners with businesses that complement your own. Work with them to promote your business to their customers and vice versa.
- Give out business cards. Whenever you meet someone who might be interested in your business, be sure to give them your business card. You can also leave business cards at local businesses, community centers, and other places where people might see them. Always have a few business cards in your wallet, handbag, and vehicle.
- Talk to people. One of the best ways to market your business is to talk to people about it. Tell your friends, family, and neighbors about your business, and encourage them to spread the word. You can also attend local events and meet new people.
- Offer referral incentives. Give your customers an incentive to refer their friends and family to your business. This could be a discount, a free gift, or something else. Referral programs are a great way to reach new customers and grow your business.
How to Market Your Business Without the Internet
Here are some other offline marketing strategies that you can use to promote your business locally:
- Sponsor local events. This is a great way to get your business in front of a large audience. When you sponsor an event, you’ll be able to set up a booth or table where you can promote your business and interact with potential customers. Try to determine ahead of time if the people attending the event are your core demographic.
- Run local ads. Print and radio ads can still be an effective way to reach local customers. When you run print ads, be sure to target the right publications and use eye-catching visuals. If the publication doesn’t provide a graphic design service, try using Canva. They have hundreds of templates ready for your logo and text.
- Get listed in local directories. Make sure your business is listed in all of the major local directories, such as Google My Business. This will help people find your business when they’re searching for businesses like yours.
- Attend industry and networking events. This is a great way to network with other businesses in your industry and learn about new marketing trends. When you attend industry events, be sure to dress professionally and bring plenty of business cards.
By using a combination of these offline marketing strategies, you can reach a wide audience of local customers and grow your business without using social media.
